The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). We work in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public. The NIHR funds, enables, and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth. We are also a major funder of applied health research in low- and middle-income countries.

The NIHR Intellectual Property Unit provides the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) with expert advice and support on all NIHR related intellectual property, contractual and commercial issues. The Senior Technology Transfer Manager will work across the NIHR portfolio to ensure that NIHR funded intellectual property is identified, managed and translated by researchers to produce impactful outcomes that improve the quality, capacity and capability of health care in the UK and overseas.

A key part of the role will be resolving complex due diligence, monitoring and commercialisation issues that require detailed analysis of technical, contractual, stakeholder and commercial factors. The NIHR is a complex system so the successful candidate will need to be comfortable working in a dynamic network of other members of the IP Unit, colleagues throughout the NIHR system, research teams, IP management specialists in research organisations and commercial partners.

The Senior Technology Transfer Manager will also work on projects that will improve the NIHR’s IP management processes and its integration in to the wider UK health research funding ecosystem. 

We are particularly looking for individuals with experience of IP and commercial issues associated with at least one of:

• Technology licensing and commercial negotiation from universities or the NHS
• Medical device and diagnostic development
• Artificial Intelligence/”big data”
• Overseas development funding, including “global health” initiatives

The tasks associated with this role include:

• Working with the Head of IP and Commercial and other members of the IP Unit to plan and deliver the NIHR IP policy.
• Supporting NIHR staff members to resolve IP-related queries by running regular IP Open Sessions in Twickenham, Southampton and Leeds where NIHR programme managers can request support and advice.
• Managing a portfolio of commercialisation cases on behalf of DHSC to maximise return on investment on NIHR-funded IP with a focus on delivering patient benefit and mitigation of state aid. Negotiating return models (including financial and non-financial return mechanisms) for NIHR and preparation of briefing notes for DHSC.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of robust contractual terms for funding health research.
• Providing IP training to NIHR programme managers and staff at NIHR-funded organisations.
• Using the IP Unit’s established project management tools for managing allocated activities.
• Identifying and implementing improvements to the IP Unit’s processes and systems.
• Ensuring that a consistent approach to IP management is used across the NIHR for all activities including advising potential applicants, reviewing project proposals, resolving contractual queries, reviewing and short-listing of proposals for funding, advising during project monitoring, closure and follow up activities.
• Identifying and implementing initiatives to enhance the capacity of NIHR to enter into commercial research partnerships with relevant life sciences or healthcare organisations
• Co-ordinating legal advice for DHSC on all issues relating to research funding on a commercial basis
• Representing NIHR on monitoring and audit committees on an ad hoc basis
• Providing broader support for CCF and NIHR colleagues in the area of commercial processes, IP management and advice, when required.
• Contributing to cross NIHR IP coordination meetings.
• Attending and when relevant leading meetings such as IP Management Groups with funding recipients
• Developing and updating the NIHR IP Unit website and web materials.
• Drafting regular progress reports and ad-hoc papers required by internal and external bodies.
• Contributing to the response to Freedom of Information requests, Parliamentary Questions or briefing requests.
• With all relevant parties, encourage and foster effective communication, consultation and co-ordination
• Quality checks of the activities of the Innovations Directorate and other NIHR staff.
• To deputise for the Assistant Director – IP and Commercial as required

• A good degree in a relevant subject (a relevant professional qualification would be desirable) or comparable professional experience
• Detailed knowledge of life science research gained from working in a university, NHS Trust, company or charity
• Expert knowledge of best practice in intellectual property management in the public and private sectors to generate impact from research
• Understanding of the different organisational goals of universities, NHS Trusts, charities and companies and how these need to be balanced when negotiating with organisations.
• Knowledge of the regulatory framework for intellectual property management
• A proven track record in obtaining appropriate legal advice on intellectual property management issues
• Inquisitive, analytical self-starter who looks for opportunities to implement improvements in to processes and services
• Confidence in dealing with complex stakeholder relationships involving senior members of staff in national and international organisations
• An ability to analyse complex commercialisation deals taking qualitative and quantitative factors in to account, including return on investment models
• An ability to write succinct and informative documents for senior level decision makers providing them with sufficient information for decisions to be made
• An ability to analyse how specific issues may affect the wider NIHR system
• An ability to management of complex projects, demonstrating excellent organisational skills and meticulous record keeping
• Effective planning, organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage own time to deliver multiple priorities with demanding deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills and customer focus, including successful senior level external liaison and meeting management to agree mutually acceptable outcomes
• Effective negotiation skills and an understanding of technology transfer licensing arrangements
• Willingness to travel to locations across England (including Southampton and Leeds on a weekly basis) to provide support and advice

Why work for us
Join our team and you’ll be working with an exceptional organisation who manage high quality health and care research for the benefit of patients and the public. NIHR is one of the UK’s largest funders of health and care research.

Salary & Benefits

• £54,500 to £57,500 PA 
• Bonus - subject to company performance
• 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme
• Life Insurance
• Benenden Healthcare
• Season Ticket Loan
• Laptop, IT equipment and remote IT support

NB: This is an office-based, hybrid role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, usually worked as 1 day per week, and may increase, subject to team requirements. 

To Apply 
If you are interested in working with us and feel you have the appropriate background and skills, please apply with your CV, (with the cover letter attached in the same document), outlining your suitability for the role and highlighting your experience against the required criteria. 

If you wish to make an informal enquiry about this post, please contact: [email protected]

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early application is strongly encouraged to avoid disappointment.